Wednesday, 21 September 2011

Occasionally, I encounter something which reminds me of times gone by; a smell, some music- you know the sort of thing.
My most recent one is some Fimo (will explain in a bit - hold that thought)

A few days back I made a great sale purchase in Sainsbury's- these stripy tea/coffee/sugar ceramic canisters.

I'd looked at them before, but shirked their £6 (each) price tag.
However, in the sale at half price, these babies were mine.
Great. They look smashing.
I'll just put the kettle on... hang on...which one's the tea? Oh no, that's the sugar... No, that's coffee ...hrrrrrrrmph!
Most annoying.

Fimo, to be exact (it's a type of ready coloured modelling clay which you mould and then bake in the oven). I used to make stuff with it all the time when I was a kid! I remember having it for birthdays and Christmases in every conceivable colour (even glow-in-the-dark, once). I used to make little teddies and fairies and badges and brooches and earrings and would be occupied for HOURS.

Well, I had the most marvellous time this week moulding and rolling and squishing and squashing ...
..ready for the bake (along with some try-outs for Christmas)..

And now I can find the tea first time.

I even made some little 'Love Letters'.
Such fun!
(As Miranda's mother would say)

Not a mighty achievement, really. It was actually pretty quick to hook up, it's just one of those kind of projects which is always side-stepped for something new.

I used one skein of King Cole Bamboo.
(you know me by now- it was £1 in the bargain bucket and the only one of its colour)
But actually, I'm pretty pleased -

I used the magic chainless foundation stitch (my goodness, Miss Molly, it's marvellous) until I reached about 50 inches/ 127cms and then joined with a slip stitch to make a loop. I then alternated rows of double crochet US (treble UK) and half double US (half treble UK).
It ended up about 5 inches/ 13cms wide.

Actually, it could do with being a teeny bit wider, but I love it. And it's all mine.
Perfect for this slightly Autumnal change in the weather, methinks.

Wednesday, 14 September 2011

Yes, really.
Bracelets!
Just look at what you can do if you crochet around them:

Pretty cute eh?
I cannot take any credit.
I was just having a mooch around my good bloggy friends, when I found this at Sols(tr)ikke, originally at Lola Nova
Well, I just had to try.
A round of single crochet. A round of double crochet. A round of petals.
Easy-peasy.

Well, after discovering that these fabulous hoops are made from up-cycling old bracelets, I clearly needed to sort out my stash... And believe me, I do have a stash.
Nothing fancy, mind you. Just lots and lots, picked up at cheapo prices (Primark, H&M etc).

Ok.
New crochet-hoopy-circles sorted.

Now, what to do with the rest?
Cue marvellous idea from here I've been thinking about for ages.

Friday, 9 September 2011

Well I must say, life here is more relaxed.
Number one has started school yeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaa *sniff* and number two is having her nap, so this is what takes my fancy.

Good old Mollie Makes- am very much liking those little crocheted veg on the cover. Cute.

Crochet projects have been a bit random recently. There are some little bits I'm working on (soon to be posted) and in the pic above you can see a green scarf which I'm trying to finish. So i thought I'd share a few recent thrifty finds which I'm rather pleased with.

Cor blimey though, I totally underestimated how much time all this would take to do (burning the midnight oil is NOT preferable the night before your sale ..)

I'd even finished a couple of dolls.

(Did not like pink wig on pale skinned elf. Just looked wrong. Made blonde wig also night before. More burning of midnight oil)
Note to self: Crocheting with mohair is mental at night when the light is bad. Never, never again.

How much did I make?
Minus £5. Didn't even cover the cost of my table!!!!
It was such a shame- the sale had been well-advertised, but it was so quiet.
My fellow stall-holders likewise made few sales and were not impressed by the lack of buyers (apparently there was a big auction in the next village and a big craft and food fair going on too). Also, I don't think people were expecting a craft stall- most people glanced, but didn't come to look. The other stalls included bric-brac, homemade jams, fresh eggs, antiques and a man selling army surplus, obviously.

But, do you know what? I had a great time. This was something for me and I loved every minute.
The people who did come and look were full of compliments and loved my wares. I met some great people (lovely Sue next to me selling fab jams) and I made a couple of contacts: another market nearer Christmas time (bit more crafty this time) and a lovely lady who again thought my things were great and who hosts a Christmas craft sale and wants me to be there! Amazing!

And, I loved the 4 hours of peace and quiet, sitting, chatting, crocheting and listening to the locals.

Another sale?
I think so.

Have a great week. Looking forward to catching up with you all now.
Xx